Expert Economic Research & Advice

Our team has developed significant expertise in the economics of competition and regulation in telecommunications and media markets. We have worked on a wide range of issues in the sector including mergers and acquisitions, abuse of dominance complaints, regulatory issues such as spectrum assignment and call termination and analysis of key policy proposals.

Energy markets in Africa are critical to economic development but are often highly concentrated and subject to economic regulation. Our team has been involved in a wide range of projects in the sector. We are familiar with the types of competition and regulatory issues which arise and understand the need for high-quality, relevant economic analysis to assist in regulatory determinations, court proceedings and policymaking.

The Acacia team has worked extensively in the financial services sector in Africa including analysing mergers and acquisitions, abuse of dominance complaints and various policy and regulatory issues. We have developed particular expertise in the area of mobile financial services and the competition and regulatory concerns which are relevant in these rapidly developing markets. In addition, we have worked extensively on issues relating to the regulation and pricing of interconnection, both for mobile and traditional payments mechanisms.

Our economists have a deep understanding of key sectors in manufacturing and have been involved in a number of landmark South African abuse of dominance cases in the sector. Our team has also worked on mergers and cartel cases across a range of products and markets. We have significant experience of providing economic analysis of manufacturing markets for competition proceedings.

Healthcare markets in South Africa are currently facing scrutiny and important policy and regulatory changes, with a competition market inquiry into the private healthcare sector and policy reform geared towards a National Health Insurance scheme underway. Our team has significant experience of analysing competition and regulatory issues in the sector and can help to understand what these changes may mean for different stakeholders.

Our economists have conducted economic analysis for a number of mergers in the retail sector. Our team has also been involved in abuse of dominance cases in the sector, and has provided expert advice in relation to a competition market inquiry. This experience gives us a strong background from which to understand the competition issues which can arise in retail and to provide relevant and robust analysis and advice to our clients.